CaFFE and CHR condemn the attack on Uthayan office
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and Center for Human Rights and Research (CHR) strongly condemn the attack on Uthayan office in Kilinochchi today (April 3) morning. We see this as a continuation of media suppression in the North and the attempt to create a fear psychosis in the province.
The attack, which resulted in property damage and the hospitalization of three employees, is the 29th attack on Uthayan in its 28 year old existence (estd in 1985.) Earlier in February a newspaper distributor for Thinakural newspaper was assaulted while another Uthayan journalist was assaulted in January. These continuous assaults on the media industry have caused great harm to the country’s international image.
The suppression of media and restricting the activities of civil society groups in the North has acted as a main barrier for normalization. In a recent visit to Jaffna CaFFE experienced the restrictions imposed by the government on civil society organizations.
This alarming trend and the creation of an environment poisoned by fear in an area where provincial council elections are to be held soon needs to be immediately addressed by the government at a time when we are closely scrutinized by the international community.
Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon
Executive Director
Center for Human Rights and Research (CHR)
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE)
April 3rd, 2013
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and Center for Human Rights and Research (CHR) strongly condemn the attack on Uthayan office in Kilinochchi today (April 3) morning. We see this as a continuation of media suppression in the North and the attempt to create a fear psychosis in the province.The attack, which resulted in property damage and the hospitalization of three employees, is the 29th attack on Uthayan in its 28 year old existence (estd in 1985.) Earlier in February a newspaper distributor for Thinakural newspaper was assaulted while another Uthayan journalist was assaulted in January. These continuous assaults on the media industry have caused great harm to the country’s international image.
The suppression of media and restricting the activities of civil society groups in the North has acted as a main barrier for normalization. In a recent visit to Jaffna CaFFE experienced the restrictions imposed by the government on civil society organizations.
This alarming trend and the creation of an environment poisoned by fear in an area where provincial council elections are to be held soon needs to be immediately addressed by the government at a time when we are closely scrutinized by the international community.
Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon
Executive Director
Center for Human Rights and Research (CHR)
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE)
April 3rd, 2013
